A mother has been charged over the murder of her five-month-old daughter after a baby was found in a park in Leeds in winter conditions.
Hayley Macfarlane, 39, of Barnsley, has been charged with the murder of her daughter Evelyn in an incident in Woodhouse Moor park on Wednesday.
She has been remanded to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court tomorrow.
At about 5.45pm on Wednesday, the police received a report that a baby was in a serious condition in an area of Woodhouse Moor, known locally as Hyde Park.
Police have launched a murder investigation after the girl was discovered in the park in a ‘serious condition’.
Police found the child near the junction of Clarendon Road and Moorland Road.
Hayley Macfarlane, 39, of Barnsley, has been charged with the murder of her five-month-old daughter Evelyn in an incident in Woodhouse Moor park in Leeds on Wednesday. Pictured: The corner of the park cordoned off by police
The baby was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment but died a short time later, West Yorkshire Police confirmed. Macfarlane was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police cordoned off a corner of Woodhouse Moor as a forensic examination took place.
The cordon was still in place on Thursday evening and officers were seen guarding the area.
Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are heading the investigation.
A spokesperson for the force confirmed this morning that the woman remains in custody.
The Senior Investigating Officer leading the case, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, said: ‘The death of a child in these circumstances is clearly a very tragic incident and we are carrying out enquiries to get a complete picture of what has occurred.
‘We would like to hear from anyone who was in the park around this time and who witnessed anything or who has any information that could assist the investigation.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team by calling 101, quoting reference 13230701073, or online via the Live Chat.